HB 75 — Postsecondary Fee Waivers
by Rep. Ponder and others (SB 460 by Senators Gainer, Broxson, and Taddeo)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
The bill (Chapter 2018-8, L.O.F.) authorizes Florida College System (FCS) institutions to waive certain fees for active duty servicemembers utilizing the U.S. Department of Defense Military Tuition Assistance (MTA) program. The MTA program is a benefit paid to eligible servicemembers for tuition expenses at postsecondary education institutions. Previously, the MTA program covered both tuition and fees, but in 2014, the MTA program instructions were modified to limit coverage of the benefit to tuition only.
Specifically, the bill allows a FCS institution to waive any portion of the following fees for an active duty servicemember using MTA:
- Student activity and service fee;
- Financial aid fee;
- Technology fee;
- Capital improvement fee; and
- Any other fees authorized in s. 1009.23, F.S.
Each FCS institution must report the number and value of all fee waivers granted annually to the State Board of Education.
These provisions were approved by the Governor and take effect July 1, 2018.
Vote: Senate 35-0; House 113-0